How to Recover Data from Undetected Seagate External Hard Drive?

External hard drives are useful for storing backups or carrying large volumes of data when travelling. However, you can’t count on these devices a 100%. This is because a hard drive is a mechanical device which means that after years of usage, the inner parts such as the read/write head and the magnetic platter that stores the data can go through a lot of wear and tear due to friction and break down. There are virus attacks, human errors, and other risks that can also harm the device and the data.

Seagate hard drives, as reliable as they are, aren’t impervious to the common hard disk problems given above. So, if your computer doesn’t detect a Seagate external hard drive, then there can be many reasons behind that including:

Bad USB Port

If the USB port of the computer or laptop isn’t working, then it won’t detect your Seagate hard disk. If you are using a USB hub, then it could be with the USB hub itself.

Virus Infection

If you aren’t using a good antivirus, then your Seagate external hard drive can be affected easily.

Data Corruption

Sudden power outages during a data-transfer (possible if you accidentally disconnect the USB cable) can corrupt the data on the external hard drive and make the device inaccessible.

Physical Damage

The inside of a hard drive is like a record player. There is a read/write head (like a record needle) which writes the data on a magnetic platter (akin to a record). Just like a record player won’t work is the needle is misaligned, or the record is not set straight, a hard drive won’t work if the read/write head or the magnetic platter are damaged. These parts are sensitive to jerks and physical impacts and break easily.

Fix an Undetected Seagate External Hard Drive

These are some of the standard solutions to fix Seagate external hard drive:

Solution 1: Use a Different USB Port

Try a different USB port for the hard drive. So, if you are using one on the front of the CPU cabinet, then you can try one in the back. However, even if then you aren’t able to access the Seagate external hard drive, then you can follow the below solution.

Solution 2: Reinstall the USB Driver

Sometimes, a computer doesn’t recognize an external hard disk because of a corrupted USB driver. However, you can uninstall and reinstall the same by following these simple steps:

1: Go to “Start” and enter “Run” to locate and launch the “run” tool.

2: Type “devmgmt.msc” and click “ok” which will open “Device Manager.”

3: Find “Universal Serial Bus Controllers” in the list of devices displayed (it should be in the bottom half of the list) and click on the arrow icon to expand it further.

4: Right-click the first USB controller and then select “Uninstall”.

5: Repeat the steps for all the remaining USB controllers.

6: Restart the computer after which the system will reinstall the USB drivers automatically, and check again.

Solution 3: Enable “Show Hidden Devices”

If your Seagate external hard drive is “hidden,” then it can’t be detected. However, you can change this by following these steps:

1: Go to “Start” and enter “Run” to locate and launch the “run” tool.

2: Type “devmgmt.msc” and click “ok” which will open “Device Manager.”

3: Click “View” on the top and select “Show hidden ”

4: If there are any grey-out entries, right click and “Uninstall.”

5: Restart the computer and try again.

Solution 4: Turn on USB Root Hub

1: Go to “Start” and enter “Run” to locate and launch the “run” tool.

2: Type “devmgmt.msc” and click “ok” which will open “Device Manager.”

3: Right click on “USB Root Hub.” Select “properties” and then “power management.” Uncheck the option that says “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.”

4: Repeat the uncheck method for all the remaining USB Root Hubs (if there are any).

In a service solution, the hard disk drive is disassembled in class 100 clean room lab for a safe Recovery especially for the hard drive (all kind of make and models). This is because inside a clean room there is a controlled environment with less than 100 particles larger than 0.5 microns in each cubic foot of airspace as opposed to 35,000,000 particles in any standard space within an office.

In addition to that, the data recovery experts who deploy complex recovery tools on the hard disk to ensure that you will get back 100% of the lost data.

Note:Do not open your hard drive in an uncontrolled environment. This is because even if just a few dust particles stick to the magnetic platter or the read/write head, then it can damage the data permanently.

Stellar is an ISO 9001:2015 & ISO 27001:2013 certified organization that offers 100% safe and reliable data recovery services for all types of hard drives. So, it is advisable that do not experiment with your device to avoid further damage. We have performed we have top data recovery experts and advanced equipment for risk-free and guaranteed data recovery. We recovered data from more than 10000+ Seagate external hard drives with different make and models. If your hard drive is under warranty period, then you can check how to claim a replacement of a hard drive during data recovery.

About The Author

Sapna is a technical blogger and has been writing since 3 years. She is into technology and writes tech-based stuff. Her aims to provide knowledge to simple users by sharing tips and tricks about new technologies, DIY and Data Recovery Services.